Monday, November 5, 2012

I knit with wire. Sometimes I must admit using wire on fine metal needles makes me clench my teeth! It also takes a long time to complete a project. That's what happened to Norma Melton, the creator of WireKnitZ who made a knitted wire cuff to showoff some beach glass. She was convinced there had to be a better way than to spend hours and hours on a project.

Wheelz Bracelet by Angela Davis

So lots of product development time later, she came up with a highly colored copper based tubular metal mesh for jewelry and other fine art applications. It is an incredibly versatile one as the mesh can be easily folded, stretched, twisted, stitched, shaped, woven and so on as well as combined with beads and other components.

Talk about fast! It literally takes a few minutes to cut a tube and fold over the raw ends to create a basic rolled cuff!

Eva confessed she "traded in her architectural career, as well as her bank account for the opportunity to spend all her time among beads." It is not surprising given her previous career that she like WireKnitZ so much because the material allows all sorts of sculptural manipulations.

WireKnitZ comes in different widths and mesh density so do ask Eva if you are not sure about the types.

Shown here are some wonderful examples from the WireKnitZ gallery and tutorial page. Eva demonstrates how to make a ruffled flower adorned cuff in this video tutorial. She also shows how snap fasteners are attached with a special tool. I couldn't get a clear shot of the finished cuff so you'll have to see the video!

My most favorite thing about this product is the ability to make a Viking knit style piece in next to no time! There are a couple ways to go about it. The first is Norma's wrap around a dowel method.

The second method which uses no dowel is shown in Eva's video tutorial. Her pseudo Viking knit necklace has a Unicorn lamp work bead and it took her just over 5 minutes to make it. It takes way longer to make a true Viking knit necklace! So if you don't have the inclination or the time for doing Viking knit jewelry, check out WireKnitZ.

Giveaway
Here is a chance to win some WireKnitZ from Eva's Etsy store (or her physical store if you live close) so you can come up with your own unique creations.

Please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Subscribers need to click on the post title to come to my actual blog. Scroll down and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank. Please leave an email at the very least so I can contact you easily if you win.

This giveaway is international.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, November 12, 2012. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

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You could say Pearl was born to be a jewelry designer with a name like that! She is the author of The Beading Gem's Journal now simply called The Beading Gem, a popular jewelry making, inspirational and how-to website. Subscribe for your daily dose of tips and tutorials and more

Particularly like this blog. I found it very helpful. You often introduce me to things I did not know were available. I enjoy Eva Sherman's work as well as yours. Thanks so much for all you do to help beginners and hobbyists. You're the best! God bless you!

Wow! What great ideas! Just reading through the blog, my mind was racing wih ideas. I live where it's not easy to find new types of products & supplies to buy, so the opportunity to find out about & maybe win this makes my heart go pitter-pat.

I love your blog. Read it daily and have made many projects from it. This WireKnitZ looks like so much fun. I haven't seen it before but will be on the lookout for it. How wonderful it would be to win.

OMG! Now I know how to use these fabulous WireKnitZ that I ordered! Thank you so much; I LOVE Unicorne Beads, and I have been struggling with Viking Knit for quite a while. You have devised a beautiful substitute for all those hours spent - I LOVE you! J.D.Leigh Designs, Sarasota, FLjdleigh@comcast.net

I love the sophistication of these designs - they bring wire knitting to a very delightfully different place. I'd love the opportunity to try Wire Witz with seed bead weaving - that could produce some very Witzy, Ritzy weaving. What fun. Thanks for the giveaway and the blog - I subscribe and love the diversity you share with us. Glenda